Vigil Held For California Native Israeli Soldier

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KMVT News

West Hills, California (CNN) - Two U.S. citizens were among more than a dozen Israeli soldiers who died, Sunday, in the escalating violence in the Middle East.

California native Max Steinberg was one of them.Family, friends and members of the community gathered near Los Angeles, to hold a vigil in his honor.His parents say Steinberg had challenges living in California....and after a birthright trip, he decided to join the Israel defense forces in 2012.

"He felt that if this was his calling, that, though, being on the sidelines, or even being in the back seat was just not -- not going to work,” said Stuart Steinberg, Max’s father. “So, he put all of his attention and his focus and his dedication to being the best soldier that he possibly could be."

Steinberg was a sniper in Golani.His parents say he will be buried in Israel